Happy Camper- Walker Turner Bandsaw with Reeves Drive! :)

[itsme_Bernie]

I hope this is the right place to post this- but I got really lucky with two Craigslist purchases this week!

This post is about a 1950's Walker Turner 12 inch Bandsaw, Model 3110 "Light Heavyweight" (according to the badge). My first "real" bandsaw.
What I hope I can do is learn from you guys here how to tune this thing properly, run it properly, and keep it tuned.

Ok, on to the gloating! The REALLY good news here is that the Bandsaw came with a truly seamless and accurate Reeves Belt Drive, meant to be accurately and repeatably adjusted for speed while running! Dial marked 0-10, ranging (as he printed out) from 89 to 2310 SFM. Apparently the original owner was an engineer of sorts

It also has a seriously heavy machined fence system (last pic). The fence is about 5 pounds and runs in a very tight tolerance along the fence guide.


Let me see if I can attach pics properly here...


Bernie

 

[psychodelicdan]

Nice score there looks nice and clean.
Dan


Master of unfinished projects

 

[itsme_Bernie]

Thanks Dan-

I have never had a proper bandsaw with all the proper adjustments- it cuts 1 1/4 inch aluminum like butter!

I am just trying to find a site to help learn how to "tune" it..

I am getting a wood blade and an "Anti Vibration" blade for metal. Supposed to be good with different thickness metals due to differently spaces teeth.

 

[samthedog]

G'day Bernie. For a decent resource on bandsaws it's hard to look past Mark Duginske's Band Saw Handbook, Sterling Publishing, ISBN 0-8069-6398-0

A decent bandsaw should let you cut verneer from even the hardest woods like maple and ebony. I have a smaller bandsaw than yours and with a decent blade it will cut aluminium and hardwoods with ease. A good bandsaw blade is the woodslicer from Highland Woodworking:

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/woodslicer-resaw-bandsaw-blades.aspx

Even though it is expensive, it is the recommended blade for resawing hard woods by many a woodworker.
Congratulations on your new saw.

Paul.

 

[itsme_Bernie]

Thanks so much Paul! I'm serious about getting the most out of all my tools-'so no kidding here either.

I'll check them out


Bernie